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ARRI | ARRIFLEX 416
Advantages of Optical Viewnders
Optical viewnders, as used in all ARRI cameras, provide by far the most
comfortable, accurate and efcient way to work when capturing images.
Operators see a bright and sharp, full color image and are able to accurately
judge focus. By their very nature, optical viewnders have zero delay, showing
exactly what is happening, right when it is happening.
Optical viewnders show an area larger than the image recorded on lm,
ensuring that microphones, light stands and other debris do not make an ap-
pearance in frame, thus minimizing the need for re-takes and saving precious
time on the set. Operators also nd this extra area around the image crucial
for precise composition and exacting camera movements.
In addition, optical viewnders work without power, are less fatiguing
to the eye than electronic viewnders and can be equipped with a range of
accessories such as medium and long eyepiece extensions, eyepiece levelers
and heated eyecups. A large exit pupil ensures that the operator has more
freedom to move without losing the image.
How Does an Optical Viewnder Work?
An optical viewnder is essentially a small rear projection screen and a mag-
nifying glass. The taking lens projects light onto a screen; for 16 mm cameras
this is usually a ber optic screen, while for 35 mm cameras it is usually a
ground glass. An image is formed on the screen. The screen has a specically
chosen granularity that allows the operator to precisely judge focus and depth
of eld.
The rest of the viewnder is a very sophisticated magnication apparatus
that allows the operator to view this image properly. Since the image on
the screen will be magnied about 8 times by the viewing system before it
reaches the human eye, high quality viewnder optics and precision assembly
are crucial. Through the use of mirrors and prisms the viewnder can be
re-oriented freely in space, allowing the operator to see an upright image
irrespective of how the viewnder is positioned.
A small part of the light in the viewnder is split off and directed to a CCD
sensor, which creates a video image - the so called "video assist" - allowing
others besides the operator to see the image.
The specic light path pictured here is from the ARRIFLEX 416 cameras,
but it is similar in principle to that of all optical viewnders.
COMFORTABLE,
ACCURATE & EFFICIENT